Combined optical and electromagnetic communication system and method
US7109935B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q21/0075
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An antenna system for communicating electromagnetic and optical signals using a common aperture is provided. The system includes at least one optical phased array terminal integrated with an optically transparent electromagnetic antenna such that the optically transparent electromagnetic antenna and the optical phased array terminal share a common aperture. The optically transparent electromagnetic antenna includes a substrate fabricated of a substantially electrically non-conductive material that is substantially optically transparent to optical signals having a wavelength within a specific portion of the optical spectrum. An antenna element layer, including an array of electromagnetic antenna elements electrically connected by transmission lines and a plurality of phase shifters electrically connected to the electromagnetic antenna elements is disposed onto the substrate. The antenna elements and the transmission lines are fabricated of a conductive material that is deposited such that they are substantially optically transparent to optical signals having a wavelength within the specific portion of the optical spectrum.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.